Friction-clutch



(No Model.)

D. MILLS.

FRICTION GLUTCH. v

' No. 292172. Patented Jan. 22, 1884.

MEEEl-l N m m WITNESSES I N. PETERS, Phobfllbogmphcn Waihillginn. 17.0.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

DANIEL MILLS, OF PHILADELPHIA, PA.,ASSIGNOR TO THE UNITED STATES.

AUTOMATIC BUTTONHOLE SEWING MACHINE COMPANY, OF NEIV JERSEY.

FRICTION-CLUTCH.

SPECIFICATION"forming-part of Letters Patent No. 292,172, dated January 22, 1884,

Application filed June11,1883. (no model.)

.To all whom it may concern:

My invention consists of improvements in the construction of that-.class of friction, clutches in which a split ring and flanged wheel are combined with a lever for pressing the ring into frictional contact with theflange of the wheel, as more fully described hereinafter. An example of this form ofclutch is shown in the application for Letters Patent filed by me March 5, 1883, Serial No. 87,154.,

' and my present improvements are more especially applicable to the form of clutch there shown.

ner sleeve, 1), fitting securely on the said shaft.

Within this rim 1) is adapted the split ring D, carrying at one end a pivot-pin, e, for the expanding-lever E, an arm, 6, on this lever being adapted to act on a projection, f, on the other portion of the split ring, to expand the latter against the flange b. The portion of the ring carrying the projection f in this case is secured to a yoke, D, instead of depending for its support entirely on the thin ring D, as in my above-mentioned application. Theyoke or collar D can either be fitted to the sleeve 1) or to the shaft itself. This yoke D also preferably fits up against the inner face of the wheel B,'Fig.4.

The expansion-lever E, which is pivoted on the free end of the ring D, and to which a short movement in the direction of the arrows, Figs. 1 and 2, is intermittently given by a suitable arm or lever, is provided with an adjustable stop-screw, F, normally. bearing on some fixed part of the machine, Fig. 1. By

' adjusting this screw the extent of motion of the lever E can be varied, as will be readily understood.

Over the face of the flanged wheel is fitted an inclosing disk or cap, C, cut away at one point, as shown in Fig. 1, for the passage of the pivoting portion and arm e of the lever E.

This cap C serves to keep the ring D in its proper place, so that it will always have an even bearing on the whole of the rim 7). This cap also is made to serve for imparting the return motion of the lever and ring, one edge, 0, of the cap being adapted-to bear on the lever E, soas to tend to force thearm e from engagement with the projection f, a retractingspring, S, acting on a pin, p, on the cap 0,

Movementimparted Fig. 1, for this purpose. to the outer end of the lever E in the direction of the arrows, Figs. 1 and 2, operates the said lever, so as to first expand the ring D and cause it to bind against the flange of the wheel,

and the continued movement of the lever consequently causes the wheel and ring to turn together to the remaining extent of movement of the lever. WVhen the lever E is freed from its actuating-arm, the spring S, through the medium of the cap C, pulls the lever back to its first position, and in so doing frees the split ring from the rim 1) of the wheel, and allows the ring to be carried backward by the lever E independently of the wheel.

One of the advantages of this improvement is that there is no lost motion in the forward movement of the lever'E, for when said lever and the ring D and cap C have been pulled back by the spring S until the point of theadjusting-screw F rests on the stop on the frame, the point e of the lever E will be in contact with the pin f, Fig. 2, so that when the said lever E is again raised the ring D and wheel B are at once moved with it.

In order to insure the quick and entire freeing of the ring D from the flange or rim of the wheel on this return movement, and also to insure a more even bearing of the ring throughout, I make the ring thin at a point, 01, Figs. 2 and 3, near the end away fron that to which the expansion-lever E is connected, so that the said ring will spring principally at this pointd.

3. The combination of a shaft, flanged wheel, and split lringywith an operating-lever, an inclosing-cap adapted to bear on said lever, and a retracting-spring acting on said cap, substantially as specified.

In testimonywhereof [have signed my name to this specification in the presence oftwo subscribing witnesses.

DANL. MILLS.

\Vitnesses:

HARRY L. ASHENFELTER, HARRY SMITH. 

